Doug Unplugged (2013) - Dan Yaccarino

Doug Unplugged is a very cute story of a boy robot whose parents leave for work, but plug Doug up to their computer so that he can download all the information he needs for the day. Of course, Doug gets bored and wants to see the real world instead of learning about it through downloaded files.

The artwork recalls some of the great 50s and early 60s cartoons, although the subject matter is pretty current. Colors are bright and engaging and the story is one filled with wonder. Yet, the book is too small for a large storytime setting and would best work as a one-on-one read. Like many other current picture books, this one almost reads like a graphic novel with multiple "panels" (although without borders) on each page. I wish each "panel" had been given its own page treatment, but that would've made the story too many pages for a standard picture book. I really wish I could use this one for Outer Space storytime, but unless I have a really small group, this one won't be along for the ride. 

Storytelling  4
Color Attractiveness  5
Size of Book  3
Text Size  2
Illustrations 5
Participation Potential  2
Overall Appropriateness for Storytime 3.5

Boy + Bot (2012) - Ame Dyckman & Dan Yaccarino

Boy + Bot looks like a throwback to the 1950s with its robots and weird scientists, but it works well in modern times as well. It's a very cute story about understanding and helping others who are different from us, so for that, I give it high marks. The book is bright and colorful but it has several small pictures (or panels, for those of you who read comics/graphic novels), which would probably make it a difficult Storytime book. Still, it's probably worth a try. Good for Robot Storytimes or Friendship Storytimes.

Storytelling  4

Color Attractiveness  5
Book Size 3
Text Size  3
Illustrations  4
Participation Potential  3 
Overall Appropriateness for Storytime 3.5